A 2"x3" acetate negative, 1977 or 1978 copy of a photograph taken in 1890 of the exterior of the Smersh Hardware store in downtown Brainard, Nebraska. Three men, two women and a dog are on the boardwalk in front of the store, leaning against the awning posts and another man is standing in the doorway. The men are wearing suits, shirts, ties and hats. The two women are wearing dark, ankle-length, long-sleeve dresses with high-top shoes. The one-story, wood sided building features two large windows in front with double, entry doors between and an awning that spans the boardwalk. A dirt street and hitching posts are in the foreground.
Thorpe Opera House Foundation/Boston Studio Project
Local Accession Number
0XX01060001
Source
Original format: 2"x3" Acetate negative from the Boston Studio Project collection.
Historical Notes
Smersh Hardware was established in Brainard, Nebraska, in 1884, by Jakub Smersh. Jakub was born in Olsanech, Moravia, in 1835. He imigrated to the United States in 1862 and eventually settled in Omaha, Nebraska, where he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad. In 1892, he formed a business alliance with his son, Theodore (T. J.), and G. A. Falk. They built the first brick business building in downtown Brainard and opened a large general store. Jakub also organized the Smersh Orchestra. He played bass viol, sons Theodore and Otto played violin, and son Charley played cornet. He died in 1905.
